Cycling News: Ford Joins Red Bull’s Ambitious Engine Project for 2026 Regulations
In a significant development in the world of road racing, the American automotive giant Ford has announced a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains to aid in the development of a new engine for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. This ambitious plan will see Red Bull produce its own power unit for the first time in the team’s history.
The move has sparked discussions about the challenges Red Bull may face, as it attempts to catch up to its key rivals, such as Ferrari, who have decades of experience in engine development. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner acknowledged the steep learning curve, stating, “> We’ve got 70 years of disadvantage to Ferrari, but we’ve got a great group of people.”
However, Ford’s global motorsports director, Mark Rushbrook, sees potential advantages in Red Bull’s approach. He believes that the team’s sole focus on the 2026 power unit design, without the burden of current engine specifications, could be a significant benefit. “They are not working on the power units for today,” Rushbrook said, “so they can really throw everything at making the 2026 design as good as possible.”
While Rushbrook concedes that Ferrari’s existing knowledge and experience may give them an initial edge, he remains confident in Red Bull’s progress. “Early in any programme you set goals and milestones, and we are hitting our own goals and milestones at the moment,” he said. The executive also acknowledged that it is challenging to directly compare their development to the competition, as the “pace in Formula 1 is so much faster than in any other form of motorsport.”
Ford’s involvement in the project extends beyond the electrical elements of the new power unit, as the company has also begun contributing expertise in areas such as modeling and testing, where its knowledge can be leveraged to support Red Bull’s efforts.
As the road racing community eagerly anticipates the 2026 regulations, this partnership between Ford and Red Bull Powertrains promises to be a captivating chapter in the sport’s history, with the potential to shake up the competitive landscape in the years to come.
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